Dilution microfluidic device for processing industrial waters

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Continuous industrial and environmental water monitoring necessitates that field measurements be taken at the water source; however, the current methods for water analysis require bulky laboratory scale equipment. Our project will miniaturize a component necessary to perform on-site water analysis, namely dilution of the sample before measurement. Dilution is required because industrial water samples can contain a significant amount of salt water, which contaminates the analysis equipment. Thus, before testing can occur the sample must be diluted. Our project will engineer a portable dilution system that will be easy to use and can be performed at the water source. The diluent system will directly support the water analysis technology being developed by our industry partners. Their system burns out when processing un-diluted water samples, thus they need our chip technology before they can progress with the entirety of their system. When combined the two systems can be co-deployed throughout Alberta and Canada to measure water quality on-site, meaning at the point of interest or contamination. This would allow plant and field operator's quick information about their operations without having to wait 2 weeks for laboratory results. Additionally, this system could be used daily to ensure efficient, effective, and environmentally compliant operations.